The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-06-15
HoNoRINe THE DEAD.
Meeting OF the Staunton, Virginia, Con-
federate Memorial Association.

STAUEToN, Va, June 9.-The largest
crowd ever seen in Staunton assembled to,
day to witness the celebration of the Con.
federate Memorial Association. The chief
attraction was the presence of Gen.
eral W. W. AverilI. of New York,
the orator of the occasion. The column
was a mile long, consisting of military and
drawn by four black horses rode Governor
Lee and General Averill, and as they passed
they were frequently cheered. After the
parade speaking took place in the opera.
house, which was crowded to suffocatIon.
In introducing General Averill, Governor
Lee referred to their long acquaintance,
beginning when both were boys at West
Point, and to their subsequent association
in the old army. Their commands had
me face to face in battle during the war
tba followed, and he was prepared to tes-
tify that no Drawer men contended on
either sid than the troop commanded by
that gallant officer whose warfare was
upon men and not upon helpless women
and children.
In closing, the Governor referred to the
Obliteration of sectional lines and reunion of
Federal General joining with Southern
veterans in honoring Confederate dead.
General Averill was greeted with ringing
applause as he stepped forward aud from
time to time during his speech he was en-
Enthusiastically cheered. Among other
things General Averill said: "Where once
outpests and Pickets were to
guard my command against a brave
md persistent enemy, | stand alone
a welcome guest. L thank God and you
for the changed conditions. l have ex-
perienced every vicissitude of war, includ-
ing being killed, for | have been half
killed twice, but all the triumphs L have
ever enjoyed, this victory of peace to-day
is the grandest and most satisfactory"
The speaker sketched the campaigns OF
his division during the war; touched upon
tie results of tbs war and the valor and
chivalry of the South, and related al
aDecdote of President Lincoln at the time
Of the latter's visit to the army
of the Potomac, opposite Fredericksburg,
in 1868. In the course of an interview
with the President, General Averill showed
him note from General Fitzhugh Lee in
regard to the wounded of the latter's COM
mGDd. The speaker continued as follows:
Then heasked: 'Wers you and General
Lee friends?
Certainly said l, always had BEEN
What would happen he asked,
should you meet on the battle field?'
One or both would be badly hurt or
killed" 1 said, Obliged TO be, Mr.. Presi-
dent
"He leaned that picturesque and mourn
full face of his on his hand, and, after
pause, said, with emotion, ooh, my Cod
what dreadful thing is a war like this,
where personal friends must Stay each
other and die as his friends!'
~ told him that undoubtedly Lee
thought he was doing his duty, and knew
that | was doing NINE"
Yes said Mr.. Lincoln, i understand
your feelings, but there are many who
would think that you ought to hate each
other
Finally he said: General Averill,
wish you would give me this letter of
Lees
Certainly, take it, Mr.. President l re-
piled, and have been told by one OF his
biograpbers that he carried the note in his
pocket for a long time, and would fire.
quently show it."
Brief addresses were made by General
Imbo6en, Mr.. Mccall, of New York, aud
Mr.. Mccarthy, of Richmond. Both Gen.
eral Gordon of Georgia, and Jackson, of
Tennessee, were expected, but neither
came.